Sign up for Scenic Six
Navigate the endless possibilities of New England travel with Boston.com.
A Mass. beach is one of the best in the U.S., according to ‘Dr. Beach’
It is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Coast Guard Beach has done it again.
The sandy spot in Eastham, part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, was again named one of the top 10 beaches in America on a list compiled annually by Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a. “Dr. Beach.” Coast Guard Beach ranked No. 10.
Leatherman is a professor and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University. Since 1991, he has released a list of America’s best beaches ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
Last year, Coast Guard Beach ranked No. 9 and the year prior it ranked No. 10 on Leatherman’s list.
Here is what Dr. Beach wrote about Coast Guard Beach:
Coast Guard Beach is accessible by bicycle from the Salt Pond Visitor’s Center or shuttle bus. The picturesque old Coast Guard station still sits atop the glacial bluffs, allowing for a spectacular view of the Nauset Spit barrier system and bay. During the summer, beachgoers take quick, refreshing dips in the ocean as the water is chilly. In recent years, seals have moved northward from Monomoy Island Wildlife Refuge into the populated beaches, which has attracted great white sharks. The lifeguards do a terrific job of warning if these predators are present by flying red flags with shark images on those days. Therefore, always swim near a lifeguard so that you will be safe.
Dr. Beach rates the beaches using 50 criteria scored on a five-point scale, analyzing factors such as sand softness, beach shape, water color, views and vistas, amenities, rip currents, and number of sunny days.
Advertisement:
Other beaches on the list include four in Hawaii, two in Florida, two in New York, and one in South Carolina. The No. 1 beach in America this year is Coopers Beach in Southhampton, N.Y.
Check out Dr. Beach’s list of top 10 beaches in America in 2025.
Traveling to Eastham this season? From lighthouses to beaches to hiking trails, discover five great things to do while visiting the Cape Cod town.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com